Two men have been charged with arson in connection with a fire at Kingsway Boxing Club on Norseman Street in Etobicoke, Toronto police said Wednesday.
Police were called about a break-in around 4 a.m. and say the fire was burning by the time they arrived, they told CBC Toronto via email. Nobody was injured, and the fire has since been extinguished.
The boxing club is closed for at least a week due to "extensive" fire damage, according to a statement sent to club members.
"Our team is strong, and our commitment to our community remains unshaken," said Jennifer Huggins and Virgil Barrow in the statement.
Both accused, 30 and 18, were arrested Wednesday morning and charged with breaking and entering, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, as well as arson causing property damage, media relations officer Cindy Chung told CBC Toronto. The 30-year-old faces an additional charge of assault with intent to resist or prevent arrest, and the 18-year-old has an additional charge of fail to comply with police order, Chung said.
They appeared in court at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Chung said.
The Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified.
'More of a family than an actual business'
Witness George Hysi says he knows the owners and that his son has been attending the club for a long time.
"He loves the place," Hysi said. "It's not just a business, it's a community."
When Hysi heard about the fire, he says he stopped by to offer his help.
Aekon Bicera, who attended the Kingsway Boxing Club youth summer camp and has been a member for months, said the club is part of his "daily lifestyle" and that the coaches provide a lot of support.
Shireen Fabing, personal trainer and boxing coach at Kingsway whose daughter is also a member, emphasized the strength of the community at the boxing club. "It's more of a family than an actual business," she said.
"It was really heartbreaking to get news like that, especially since … we just opened it in January," Fabing said. "In boxing we have a saying, the comeback will be even stronger."
"Our motto is: defeat is not an option."